What to look for, and what to avoid when choosing an Apple Cider Vinegar supplement
If you’re looking to lead a healthier lifestyle and in need of a nutritional supplement, look no further than Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). There are a lot of people who are turning to ACV as an alternative to synthetic supplements, which could possibly cause negative side effects.
While ACV has been enjoying a lot of hype recently (the global ACV market is growing at an increasing rate year-on-year), it has actually been used as a popular home remedy for centuries, with uses ranging from skincare and hair care to cooking. Additionally, ACV has been known to help users with weight management by limiting cravings, keeping you feeling full, and supporting a healthy metabolism.
These days, apple cider vinegar has firmly established itself as one of the most popular nutritional supplements sold in Singapore. However, what exactly is it, and does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out…
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
To begin with, apple cider vinegar is essentially fermented apple juice, made when the juice of crushed whole apples is fermented in a two-stage process involving ethanol and acetic acid fermentations.
Acetic acid is the key active component in ACV, and is said to help improve heart health and metabolism. What also makes ACV beneficial is its content of antioxidants and beneficial bacteria. It is packed with flavonoids, a compound with anti-inflammatory properties that can help to manage chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
The acetic acid in ACV helps to manage blood sugar by reducing the absorption of carbohydrates and thus reduces blood sugar spikes that increase the risk of diabetes.
One study found that vinegar intake has a positive acute effect on blood glucose levels, while another study found that ACV helped to manage diabetic complications. These beneficial effects of acetic acid are why ACV has also been used as a weight loss treatment—it is meant to promote a healthy metabolism and to reduce fat storage (see this 2018 study on the link between ACV and weight management).
Like other fermented products, ACV also helps to improve digestion and promote gut health. The stringy sediment you see in unfiltered ACV, called the “Mother,” contains lots of probiotics that help to make your gut healthy, while the pectin in ACV also strengthens your gut lining and supports the population of beneficial bacteria living in your gut.
The result is that you feel less bloated and experience better digestion and consistent bowel movements.
If you have acid reflux, heartburn, or issues with indigestion, the probiotics in ACV can help to improve your gut health (although if it’s purely probiotics you are looking for, you may be better off taking yogurt or fermented drinks like kombucha).
ACV can also help to support a healthy heart. Its antioxidants (specifically, chlorogenic acid) can reduce the plaque that builds up over time in blood vessels. Clogged blood vessels reduce blood flow to the heart, which increases the risk of heart disease. Indeed, some studies have found that consumption of ACV can also decrease overall cholesterol levels.
While studies are still being conducted, in theory ACV should also help to boost your immunity, because ACV boosts gut health, which is critical for having a strong immune system (yes, the health of your gut does affect your entire body).
ACV Supplements: What You Need To Know
When it comes to Apple Cider Vinegar Supplements, you are definitely spoiled for choice. There are a large number of powders, tablets, capsules, shots and gummies available to purchase in the Singapore market - it all depends on which one you prefer and will stick to on a regular basis.
Many brands have also taken the opportunity to pair their ACV with other nutritional ingredients like Vitamin B6, B9 and B12, so it’s rare that you’ll find a product with only ACV alone these days.
While there are many products on the market that tout the benefits of ACV, there is only one type that you can get tangible health benefits from - those made with the “mother”.
In filtered ACV, the “mother” (the cloudy sedimentation whose strands consist of good bacteria, enzymes, and proteins) has been removed. Unfiltered ACV contains the “mother” and is therefore less processed. While dedicated studies and research are still being conducted, it has been thought that the “mother” culture is largely responsible for all the beneficial effects of ACV, so with unfiltered and unpasteurized ACV you can be sure that all the nutrients have been kept intact. This applies to other ACV products—when buying an edible form of ACV, check whether the product has been made from unfiltered ACV.
ACV Supplements: What To Look Out For
With so many options available in the market, it can be challenging to distinguish which brands are effective.
When it comes to finding a high-quality ACV supplement that delivers results, you should look for the following things:
Format
ACV products come in a variety of different formats, including liquid, pills, and gummies. It is important to find the right format for your particular ACV needs. The most common ACV product is liquid ACV, which is more suitable if you’re thinking of using it for cooking and food preparation, or for hair care.
If you’re mainly going to be taking a tablespoon daily directly from the bottle, you’re better off with an edible like ACV gummies.
Drinking liquid ACV is bad for your teeth and oral health—ACV, like all vinegars, is acidic and will wear away the enamel on your teeth, making them more sensitive and susceptible to decay in the long-term.
Liquid ACV is also harsh on your throat, with the potential to cause throat burns when it burns the tissues in your throat and mouth. So if you’re looking to take ACV as a daily nutritional supplement, opt for a non-liquid product. ACV gummies or capsules are also more travel-friendly and hassle-free than liquid ACV (every spoonful of raw liquid ACV has to be diluted by you), in addition to being tastier.
The downside to ACV gummies is that they do contain more sugar than the capsules and raw liquid ACV.
Artificial Sweeteners and Colors
Avoid products that contain unnecessary ingredients and any artificial sweeteners or colours. Go with an ACV product that is made from natural, non-synthetic ingredients instead. This means that the ACV has been flavored with natural sources like other fruits.
Added Vitamins
If you’re taking ACV as a nutritional supplement, opt for a formulation that includes other beneficial compounds that work synergistically with the nutrients already present in ACV. Formulations that include Vitamins B6 (which helps to keep your immune system healthy), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (which is essential for metabolism) are beneficial —these additions enhance ACV’s beneficial effects of boosting your immune system, energy metabolism, and heart health.
Vegan or Non-Vegan
If you’re vegan and thinking of incorporating ACV gummies into your diet, check whether they have been made with gelatin or pectin. Gelatin comes from boiling the tendons and ligaments of cows and pigs, while pectin is derived from fruit peels (ACV itself naturally contains pectin).
What You Need to Avoid
Filtered ACV
Some manufacturers offer ACV supplements formulated with filtered ACV as it is lower cost and cheaper to manufacture. Filtered ACV no longer contains what is known as “the mother”, and is considered to be less effective in terms of quality and bioavailability. This makes unfiltered ACV a superior option.
Unnecessary Additives or Synthetic Fillers
You want to ensure you’re getting a premium product with the optimum concentration of ingredients in their purest form, with no unnecessary synthetic fillers or artificial additives.
Fake Reviews
Thousands of Singaporeans look to Lazada, Shopee or Amazon before purchasing their products, but most don’t realize that up to 60% of their reviews are written by individuals paid to leave positive feedback.
Prioritize Quality Over Price
It’s important to prioritize quality when consuming an ACV supplement, even if that means that you pay a little more for a high-quality product which is safe and effective. Your health is much too valuable to take such a gamble.
THE BEST APPLE CIDER VINEGAR SUPPLEMENTS
How We Picked Our Top Choice
Based on our extensive research, the metrics provided by our Superfood Reviews System, interviewing customers and our own comprehensive personal testing, we've compiled a list of what we've found to be the top few apple cider vinegar supplements available today.
We narrowed down different apple cider vinegar products into our Top 5 and eventually crowned a winner.
PROS
Contains 500mg of ACV per gummy
Uses unfiltered ACV
Contains vitamin B6, B9 and B12
No unnecessary ingredients or additives
30-day, 100% satisfaction guaranteed or money back
Rigorously tested for purity and ingredient quality
Made in USA in an FDA approved facility
Highly rated for customer service
Free SG delivery on all orders
CONS
Only available online
Regularly out of stock due to high demand
BOTTOMLINE
With a formula that is as comprehensive as it is tasty, the Apple Cider Vinegar Super Gummies by The Purest Co is easily our Number 1 pick.
These gummies deliver a potent dose (500mg unfiltered ACV) per gummy, and taste like apple drops without any vinegar-ish aftertaste. We particularly like the format of the ACV as a gummy, as liquid ACV can be highly acidic and may hurt/stain your teeth.
With The Purest Co’s ACV gummies, it makes taking ACV as a nutritional supplement very easy, as you can simply pop them in your mouth without having to get a spoon.
A good point to note is that these gummies from The Purest Co seem to be well suited for the Singapore climate, and do not melt easily unlike some of the other gummies we tested.
These gummies were extremely popular with our readers and they contain no unnecessary ingredients. The company was highly rated for customer service and they also offer a 30-day, risk-free, money-back guarantee which shows they are willing to stand behind the quality of their product.
When compared to other top competitors, the ACV gummies by The Purest Co were unrivaled in effectiveness, quality, safety and value. With this, we feel that this makes it our top choice as the best ACV supplement on the market today.
*Results are based on the Superfood Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
Contains 500mg of ACV per gummy
Vegan
Contains vitamin B9 and B12
Widely available online and in stores
No overly vinegar-ish aftertaste
Positive feedback from readers
CONS
Has a tendency to melt in warmer climates
May taste slightly too sweet
BOTTOMLINE
Goli ACV gummies is a high-quality ACV supplement from a well-known brand from overseas.
They have a tasty, sweet flavour and have a good amount of ACV in each gummy - each gummy contains 500mg of ACV.
This supplement is good for vegans, and contains vitamins B9 and B12. They are flavoured with beetroot and pomegranate and are definitely easy to eat.
Like the option from The Purest Co, we like the format of gummies over any liquids.
As Goli is from overseas and may cater more to western audiences, we found that in the climate of Singapore, the gummies tend to get sticky easily. While this is not a dealbreaker, we found it challenging to fish each gummy out. While putting it in the fridge may help the issue, we still found many gummies melted together.
This is still a good option for ACV and can be your go-to daily ACV supplement if you don’t mind the stickiness and slight inconvenience.
*Results are based on the Superfood Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
Contains 750mg of acetic acid per pill
A well-renowned ACV brand
Contains vitamin D and Zinc
Widely available online and in stores
Positive feedback from readers
CONS
Not great for people who dislike pills
Live bacteria cannot survive capsule manufacturing process
BOTTOMLINE
From an ACV brand that has been around forever, these capsules offer another convenient way to get your daily dose of
ACV without damaging your teeth and throat.
They’re organic, non-GMO, vegan, without artificial additives, and made from unfiltered ACV. They also contain a high volume of acetic acid per pill (750 mg).
That being said, these capsules will not taste as good as those in a gummy format, and may not encourage you to stick to your ACV routine as such.
Braggs is a good option for the no-frills customer who is disciplined enough to take their 3 pills each day as part of their healthy diet.
*Results are based on the Superfood Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
Affordable
A well-renowned ACV brand
Certified organic raw
Widely available online and in stores
Positive feedback from readers
CONS
Not the best tasting
May be less convenient than other form factors
BOTTOMLINE
From a company that makes products from ACV to olive oil and nutritional yeast, this is probably the most recognized ACV product around, and Bragg’s Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is as classic as its packaging.
It’s the most affordable option on this list, and the most versatile (you can even use it to make your own facial toner).
However, some research has shown that they may be downsides to consuming your ACV in liquid form, not least being your oral health. If one were to consider Braggs, we would recommend the capsules over the liquid format.
If you’re looking for an affordable alternative, Braggs Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar may be for you. That being said, we feel that due to the taste and more inconvenient form factor, it may not be the best long term
*Results are based on the Superfood Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
THE BEST PRODUCT OVERALL
After testing, in-depth research, and studying individual brands' reviews, the Superfood Reviews team has decided that the Apple Cider Vinegar Super Gummies from The Purest Co is the best choice out there today!
That being said, a few other options are also great in terms of quality, taste, and benefits. But with The Purest Co's good value-for-money, effectiveness, and their Super Gummies being the healthier option, we think this product is the best choice right now.
Sources:
The Effect of Apple Cider Vinegar (2019): https://journaljabb.com/index.php/JABB/article/view/30097
Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar (Study): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19630216/
Beneficial effects of Apple Cider Vinegar on weight management, Visceral Adiposity Index and lipid profile in overweight or obese subjects receiving restricted calorie diet: A randomized clinical trial: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1756464618300483
Vinegar (acetic acid) intake on glucose metabolism: A narrative review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31221273/
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